9mm faster?

I was at Turner's today asking questions and the guy behind the counter told me that the difference between the 9mm and .45 was that the 9mm's recoil was significantly less and so more shots could get off in a shorter period of time but that it might take more shots to stop the threat.

Because of the .45's recoil you can't get as many shots off in the same time as the 9mm but it could most likely stop the threat on one good hit.

What do you guys think?

I'm debating betweenthe p226 and the p220.

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C-grunt

December 20, 2006, 11:52 PM

The 9mm does kick less and I can accurately shoot a 9mm faster than a .45. As for stopping power, its all about shot placement. A 9mm in the heart is better than a .45 in the lung. That being said, a .45 is more powerful than a 9mm. I like 9mm because its cheaper and therefor I can shoot more.

mgdavis

December 20, 2006, 11:55 PM

Oh no, not another........Caliber War :eek:
Both rounds are adequate for most purposes, especially with modern SD ammo. 9mm is less expensive to shoot, and you get more rounds in a magazine, FWIW. Either pistol should be a great gun.

Soybomb

December 20, 2006, 11:58 PM

If you're new to guns I'd recommend a 9mm just so you can get in more practice for your money. Putting them where you want is more important than the 9mm or .45 discussion

Stachie

December 21, 2006, 12:09 AM

Obviously, the .45 packs more punch, but come on, 9mm rounds in the right locations will be effective enough. It annoys me when people unnecessarily belittle smaller rounds. Guys who go out of their way to put down the 9mm round are probably the same ones who feel the need to drive fast sports cars to make up for their "shortcomings." The 9mm cartridge is very different from the .22LR, etc.

Personally, I prefer the .40 S&W or .357 Sig, but in most cases the 9mm is quite acceptable.:banghead:

Zundfolge

December 21, 2006, 12:24 AM

There are 3 factors to "stopping power"

1) Shot placement
2) Shot placement
3) Shot placement

:D

You can't go wrong with either the 9mm or the .45acp ... but don't expect either to guarantee a "one shot stop". In most self defense scenarios either one is "enough" (and yet in reality neither is "enough", but then again you're not going to CCW a 12ga :p ).

Antihero

December 21, 2006, 01:12 AM

There are 3 factors to "stopping power"

1) Shot placement
2) Shot placement
3) Shot placement

Im disappointed in you you forgot "Shot placement":scrutiny: :D

Seriously for a self defence pistol the ability to fire more rounds faster than another caliber isnt exactly a big deal. If so i know of a gun that will fire 9 33 caliber rounds in .000000000001 of a second.......

Its called 12 gauge 00buck:D

Personally i like both rounds but actually making contact with what you are shooting at is more important than how much lead you can spew in its general direction.

Jackal

December 21, 2006, 01:19 AM

Heck, I feel confident packing my .380.

1911 guy

December 21, 2006, 01:25 AM

The 9mm is perfectly adequate for SD. Modern HP bullets are lightyears ahead of the old FMJ ball rounds.

The speed issue is a non factor for several reasons. Practically, speed of the first shot is usually the determining factor in a gunfight. Additionally, user skill will compensate for any "deficiency", while lack of skill will negate any "advantage".

Buy whichever you like and fits you best.

GunNut

December 21, 2006, 01:27 AM

I've been in this fight before and don't feeling like hashing it out again.

Buy whichever caliber you want and practice with it, and load it with quality ammo.

Steve

pedaldude

December 21, 2006, 02:43 AM

if 9mm is faster then .22 is fastest,

really if you are just starting out get a .22 and go to the range, you'll be glad you did.

I was at the range once and there were some kids all sharing something like a high point 45 and they were shooting serious patterns, then they took the 12 guage out and that's a different story. Anyway I had a 22 revolver and was emptying it at fast as I could leaving a little ragged hole of ten shots. they were very impressed and didn't seem to care if it was a little rimfire. Also I'd suggest a RF revolver over a pistol because of ease of loading the little buggers but the pistols are a bit cheaper.

I got nothing against 9mm and actualy have a bunch of it even though I have nothing chambered in it, I am amongst those that find the 9mm a little too snappy, although my favorite to shoot is .357

alot of people, and alot of people at gunstores like to say things as the truth, I just say get whatever you like and be happy with it. Just don't expect any cartridge to do everything.

5Wire

December 21, 2006, 04:45 AM

...then again you're not going to CCW a 12ga
http://www.serbu.com/top/super_shorty_870.jpg
http://www.serbu.com/accessories/thigh_holster.jpg
Plus a long coat?:D

BigRed

December 21, 2006, 04:57 AM

Antihero-
" Personally i like both rounds but actually making contact with what you are shooting at is more important than how much lead you can spew in its general direction. "

Now, go away, or I shall taunt you a second time!!! :D

45-4-me

December 21, 2006, 05:00 AM

Well...the caliber debate has gone on for as long as I can remember, and that's a long time! What I've found in the last 40 years of shooting, hunting, and carrying is, it all depends on what you want the bullet to do. Shot placement, bullet weight and design are the key factors. Myself for carry is the .45 acp with 200 gr. jacketed hollowpoints, dress up carry is my 9mm Kurtz. For beginners who don't know what to carry, perhaps purchasing a semi-auto that is chambered in both 9mm and 45 acp is the way to go. Use the 9 to practice with until you learn all the basics then with the same style gun carry in the 45.

LightningJoe

December 21, 2006, 06:22 AM

The two principal fight-stopping mechanisms for handguns are both psychological. The difference in effectiveness between 9mm and .45 Auto can't be extracted from the data. That means that if it exists, it's far less important than many other things. Carrying .45 Auto to be cool makes sense. I can't see any other reason.

sfc123

December 21, 2006, 09:17 AM

I didn't mean to start a battle. I am very new to this and I know that people say things all the time that sound good but experience says otherwise. I have recognized the depth of knowledge on this board and so felt inclined to get your thoughts on the subject since what the guy told me was the first I had heard of that opinion.

After reading all your thoughts I suppose I'm inclined to get the 9mm but I want to try both and see what I think. In the meantime I will be recieving my Hammerli Trailside at the first of the year and will start practicing with that.

Thanks for all your insights.

HSMITH

December 21, 2006, 09:57 AM

For a good shooter the difference in shot to shot times with 9mm and 45 will be insignificant at most. It just doesn't make a difference.

For a new shooter that is not intimidated by recoil it won't make a difference either.

My physical top end for speed is 5 shots per second, and it doesn't matter if it is a 9mm, a 40 or a 45. Hits will be equal too. The front sight lifts, the slide cycles and the front sight returns. This happens well under .2 seconds with a 9, a 40 or a 45. It is actually a little easier for me with a 45 than it is with a 9 and both are easier than a 40. The slow 'pulse' feeling of 45 recoil makes it easier for me to track the front sight than the pop of the 9mm.

doubleg

December 21, 2006, 10:26 AM

IMO follow up shots are effected more by the trigger with 9mm and 45acp. I can shoot way faster with my 1911 than with a beretta. Those awkward triggers slow me down more than the recoil from a 45.

gc70

December 21, 2006, 10:47 AM

I shoot 9mm and .45 in 1911s. Using the same platform, I do not notice much difference in speed. As HSMITH noted, the recoil pulse is different in the two calibers - the 9mm is lighter but snappier and the .45 is heavier but more restrained.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gc70/Colt1991-199202.jpg

tinygnat219

December 21, 2006, 10:53 AM

I didn't mean to start a battle. I am very new to this and I know that people say things all the time that sound good but experience says otherwise. I have recognized the depth of knowledge on this board and so felt inclined to get your thoughts on the subject since what the guy told me was the first I had heard of that opinion.

sfc123,

Don't worry about it. If yer new, how would you know? This "Caliber debate" has been going on for a LONG time and will go on for a longer time after you and I are gone. Here's the skinny: The "one shot stop" is more or less a myth, the handgun is a relatively poor defensive tool so you should get as much gun as you can handle quickly, reliably, and accurately. If a 9MM works for you, great. If it's a 45ACP, great. Personally, I wouldn't go below 9MM in an auto, or 38 SPL in a revolver. As Masad Ayoob says, friends don't let friends carry Mouse Guns.

The main thing that everyone seems to agree on is that the FMJ is a poor man-stopper in both calibers. The key seems to be on expanding Hollow Points. Try out several loads in the ammos you are looking to carry. You won't be displeased.

TJ

Drewrw

December 21, 2006, 11:01 AM

sfc123,

Don't worry about it. If yer new, how would you know? This "Caliber debate" has been going on for a LONG time and will go on for a longer time after you and I are gone. Here's the skinny: The "one shot stop" is more or less a myth, the handgun is a relatively poor defensive tool so you should get as much gun as you can handle quickly, reliably, and accurately. If a 9MM works for you, great. If it's a 45ACP, great. Personally, I wouldn't go below 9MM in an auto, or 38 SPL in a revolver. As Masad Ayoob says, friends don't let friends carry Mouse Guns.

The main thing that everyone seems to agree on is that the FMJ is a poor man-stopper in both calibers. The key seems to be on expanding Hollow Points. Try out several loads in the ammos you are looking to carry. You won't be displeased.

TJ

Well put. :)

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